Details
Otocolobus manul
The Pallas cat is a solitary cat of Central Asian montane grasslands. Crepuscular and low-slung, it hunts small animals among rocks and open steppe.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses high grasslands, rocky areas, and dry slopes. Rock crevices and old burrows are important shelters.
Body length is about 46-65 cm and weight about 2.5-5 kg. Dense long fur, low ears, a round face, and a thick tail suit cold open habitats.
Active around dawn and dusk, it uses a solitary range. It moves low through rocks and grass and rests in holes or crevices.
It is carnivorous, taking pikas, rodents, birds, and similar prey. Ambush and short rushes are typical hunting methods.
Kittens are raised in hidden dens and grow quickly during the short summer. The mother selects secure resting places for them.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It is adapted to cold steppe, though prey decline and grazing pressure can affect local areas.
